STATEN ISLAND—The New York Power Authority (NYPA)
will implement an energy-efficiency project at St. Vincent’s Hospital
Staten Island to lower the hospital’s overall energy costs while helping
to improve local air quality by reducing the facility’s fuel use.

NYPA made a ceremonial check presentation Friday for
$400,000 to St. Vincent’s for work to enhance the heating, ventilating
and air-conditioning systems of the hospital’s Elizabeth Ann Seton
Building, Sister Loretto Bernard Building and the Residence Staff
Building.

“Our experiences in Staten Island and throughout New
York State underscore the benefits of implementing energy-efficiency
projects as a means of lowering energy costs and cleaning the air,” said
Joseph Leary, NYPA director of Public and Government Affairs for
Southeastern New York, who represented the Authority at the event. “When
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro asked us to duplicate
these efforts at St. Vincent’s, we were happy to take on the job, and
support this important health-care facility and the essential services
it provides.”

Leary noted that NYPA has completed
energy-efficiency projects at more than 60 Staten Island public
facilities, including Borough Hall, the 120th and 122nd police precinct
station houses, South Beach Psychiatric Center and the Castleton and
Yukon bus depots. The projects have cut annual electric bills by about
$2 million and emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide by
more than 15,600 tons.

“We’ve achieved similar results for more than 2,100
public facilities across the state, cutting their electric bills by
nearly $90 million a year and greenhouse gas emissions by about 660,000
tons,” said Eugene W. Zeltmann, NYPA president and chief executive
officer. “We continue to add projects like the one we’re undertaking for
St. Vincent’s as part of the aggressive efforts under Gov. George E.
Pataki to enhance the state’s energy efficiency.”

Borough President Molinaro said, “I’m delighted that
the Power Authority has been able to identify energy-savings
opportunities at St. Vincent’s and help it to lower its overall cost of
operations while improving air quality. This is a venerable institution
whose outstanding inpatient and outpatient services will be supported by
the energy-efficiency improvements the Power Authority is planning.”

An energy appraisal conducted by NYPA engineers, in
cooperation with the hospital’s facility management, identified various
energy-efficiency work items, which will commence by summer and be
completed by the end of the year. They will include installation of a
building management system, featuring monitoring and control equipment,
and an automated computer system to make it all work. The equipment will
enhance the comfort level for building occupants and contribute to
lowering the facility’s energy use.

“We’re looking forward to the energy-efficiency
modifications that the Power Authority is planning and thank Borough
President Molinaro for his role in making this possible,” said Dawn
Gideon, executive director, St. Vincent’s Hospital. “The lower energy
bills that we’re anticipating from these initiatives will allow for
additional resources to be invested in direct patient care, such as new
equipment, programs and services. In addition, St. Vincent’s will be
contributing to improved air quality for the community.”

St. Vincent’s Hospital Staten Island is one of eight
hospitals in four of the five New York City boroughs and in Westchester
County under St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. The system, which
also includes four nursing facilities and more than 60 ambulatory care
sites, serves nearly 600,000 people a year.

The New York Power Authority is a major statewide
supplier of lower-cost electricity. Thousands of public facilities and
services in the city receive its power, with significant savings to
taxpayers.